Diego Simeone has criticised the eight-game suspension for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa as being “greatly exaggerated.”
The striker was shown a straight red card during Saturday’s loss at Barcelona by referee Gi Manzano, who stated in his post-match report that Costa insulted his mother, and that was the reason for the dismissal.
There had initially been suggestions that the former Chelsea player would receive a 12-game ban, but this decision is set to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
“The sanction seems to me to be greatly exaggerated,” Simeone told reporters on Friday, as cited by Marca.
“Costa's season was not good but that is as a result of injuries, I repeat – because of injuries.
“We hope he comes back for us strongly in pre-season and finds his rhythm with us once more.”
